"Yearning Heartbroken Red?"
Qian Renxue was a bit confused.
What lay before her was a seemingly ordinary white flower, no larger than a palm, shaped like a peony, with no leaves.
The white flower had a few striking red patches, blood-red, which gave an almost heart-stopping impression.
Its root was attached to a stone, which was entirely black.
"It can revive the dead, turn flesh into white bone, increase soul power, enhance physical strength, conceal one's aura, and heal all sorts of injuries..."
Li Yu spoke about the information he knew.
He concluded, "In short, it has many uses, but when picking it, you must think of the person you love, cough blood onto the petals, and if you're even a little hesitant, you'll die from the blood loss, and it will still remain unplucked..."
Puff!
"Uh..."
Li Yu was left dumbfounded, staring at Qian Renxue who was already holding the Yearning Heartbroken Red in her hands.
Wait, I hadn't finished explaining yet!
You've already picked it?
"So beautiful... what's wrong?"
Qian Renxue still had a trace of blood at the corner of her mouth, intoxicated by the beauty of the immortal herb before her.
She turned her head and saw Li Yu, who was still in a daze.
"Nothing, nothing."
Li Yu, of course, didn't say "I didn't expect you to pluck it so easily."
"Oh!" Qian Renxue looked at him with confusion and then became focused on the Yearning Heartbroken Red again. "Brother Yu, how should we preserve it?"
"As long as you keep it with you, it will never wither," Li Yu replied.
"Oh~" Qian Renxue, upon hearing this, immediately tucked it into her clothes. She clearly had no intention of eating it.
Li Yu wouldn't interfere, of course. Since Qian Renxue possessed the "Angel God" heritage, the effect of boosting her soul power was actually not very meaningful.
After inheriting the "Divine Position," she was even less likely to be injured.
As for typical wounds, Li Yu, with his mastery over Water and Life elements, could easily heal them.
Thus, the Yearning Heartbroken Red held more symbolic value than actual usefulness.
Of course, this was actually a small test Li Yu had set up—he felt somewhat guilty about it.
Qian Renxue tucked the Yearning Heartbroken Red away and leaned against Li Yu, suddenly asking, "Brother Yu, what should we do next..."
Li Yu knew she was referring to his transformation into a man.
She herself had to inherit the throne, and she naturally had to maintain the identity of 'Xue Qinghe' in public.
Thus, if they went out like this, it would probably be difficult to explain.
Of course, this wasn't a big deal in front of Li Yu strength.
But if someone with ill intent pushed the issue, it could still cause a stir.
Li Yu smiled and silently muttered, "Cross-dressing!"
[Cross-dressing in progress…]
"Mm!"
Qian Renxue, leaning against Li Yu, had her head resting on his chest.
Suddenly, she felt the solid chest soften and push her head away.
Qian Renxue turned her head in surprise, her eyes wide, her mouth agape: "Huh?"
Li Yu (李煜), under her very nose, had transformed back into Li Yu (李钰).
[Cross-dressing complete!]
Now, he was even shorter than her!
If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, Qian Renxue would never have believed what was happening before her.
"Brother Yu, didn't you say this was irreversible?" Qian Renxue, still dazed, felt like she had been tricked.
"Hehe." Li Yu smiled, now even more charming thanks to the cross-dressing system.
He explained, "This is a domain I realized through the Life Element, called 'Natural Life Domain.' It can change my appearance and aura."
He paused, "This isn't the same as changing gender, it's a form without substance."
Qian Renxue muttered "oh" and instinctively looked down.
"…" Li Yu was speechless, feeling like Qian Renxue was being misled.
But he didn't mind and said, "Let's go out. Your grandfather has been waiting for a long time."
"Grandfather..." Qian Renxue paused and then blushed.
Over the past three days, aside from physical training, Qian Renxue had told Li Yu everything about her past.
Though Li Yu already knew, he had acted surprised during the telling.
At the same time, he was touched.
Because Qian Renxue had held nothing back, sharing everything—even the secret that Bibi Dong was actually her mother.
This showed her sincerity.
Li Yu words were not empty either.
Now, after having stayed in the domain space with Qian Renxue for four days, Qian Daoliu had already arrived at the palace three days ago, on the second day after the competition ended.
But...
After the incident with the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger, Li Yu understanding of spatial power had deepened. Now, when activating the spatial domain, he could hide the "entrance" within the spatial veins.
His mental power had also significantly improved.
Thus, he could hide it more thoroughly, even from someone like Qian Daoliu, a 99th-level Titled Douluo.
So, this elderly man, who couldn't sense his granddaughter, had no choice but to wait in the Eastern Palace.
He was patient.
But he also seemed to sense that Qian Renxue was not in danger.
And since Li Yu had shown his strength, though he hadn't shown up at the time, Qian Daoliu was certain Li Yu had been watching in Spirit City.
Thus, Qian Daoliu didn't believe anyone could abduct Qian Renxue without leaving a trace in front of Li Yu.
Therefore, he remained calm.
If there was any concern, it was this—
Qian Daoliu feared that Li Yu might already know Qian Renxue was a woman. Why else would he stay with her for so long?
If Bibi Dong could figure this out from Li Yu revealed strength, then Qian Daoliu could certainly figure it out too.
But this question had troubled him for some time, and he had no answer.
Now, he had no choice but to wait.
"Mr. Dugu, are you truly not interested in joining my Spirit Hall?" Qian Daoliu took a sip of tea and then looked across the table at Dugu Bo.
"Senior should already know that I have a grudge against Spirit Hall. Why ask again?" Dugu Bo body stiffened, but he kept his composure.
Qian Daoliu, as a 99th-level Limit Douluo, was far beyond Dugu Bo match.
If Qian Daoliu had wished to kill him, Dugu Bo might not have been able to escape.
But Qian Daoliu didn't seem to have such intentions.
Therefore, Dugu Bo didn't resist and even dared to sit down and drink tea with Qian Daoliu.
Looking at the old man, Dugu Bo asked, "But Senior, you've been here for three days. What exactly is your purpose?"
After a pause, he continued, "Li Yu control over spatial power is no secret now. She might be out playing with the Crown Prince somewhere. Instead of waiting here, you might as well return. When she returns, I'll deliver the message."
Qian Daoliu shook his head and smiled before taking another sip of tea.